Cardinal Tagle says ‘yes’
ATEARY- eyed Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle acknowledged the applause from the faithful in a noonday concelebrated Mass where he was the main celebrant at the Manila Cathedral on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. The emotional moment came towards the end of the Mass, when Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, the outgoing Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, announced that Cardinal Tagle has humbly accepted a new role that will require him to say goodbye to his flock in the Archdiocese of Manila.
On Sunday, December 8, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had appointed Cardinal Tagle to the prefecture of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Also known by its former title, the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith (Latin: SacraCongregatiode PropagandaFide), or simply the PropagandaFide, the position is of high consequence to mapping the strategic path of the Holy See, being mainly responsible for the Vatican’s missionary work and related activities.
Propaganda Fide was founded by Pope Gregory 15th in 1622 to arrange missionary work on behalf of the various religious institutions. It is one of the nine congregations of the Roman Curia, also referred to as the Pope’s Cabinet. Its main task is to promote the spread of Catholicism around the world, and is also responsible for “the regulation of Catholic ecclesiastical affairs in non-Catholic countries.” The importance of the Prefect’s duties as well as the broad scope of his authority and territorial jurisdiction have prompted observers to refer to him as the “Red Pope,” in reference to his almost absolute authority over mission territories for Catholicism.
In the case of Cardinal Tagle in particular, some have noted how his stature as “papabile” has been growing over the past few years. Vatican veteran analyst John Allen, writing for Cruxnow.com, suggested that the appointment “could boost the Asian prelate’s chances of perhaps someday becoming pontiff himself.” In 2013, Allen said something about the Cardinal: “Tagle is a gifted communicator, making him a sought-after speaker and media personality. He drew rave reviews for his performance at the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec, where observers say he brought an entire stadium to tears.”
In a world wracked by all forms of social injustice — killing of the poor and defenseless, including the unborn; denial of workers of their just wages and all forms of deprivations that dehumanize the poor; of the environment being defiled, etc. — Cardinal Tagle should at once recognize the daunting task confronting him. Promotion of social justice and responding to the call of mercy, compassion and love for others — especially those who are incapable of loving back, the wretched, the condemned — are key cornerstones of the Catholic faith. His role may not need herding people inside places of worship; religious conversion is relatively easy, although the history of the Church is blighted by spasmodic waves of violence, by atrocities of missionary wars and conflicts that claimed the lives of millions.
But what can be more challenging is conversion in the way peoples’ lives are lived, in accordance with the guiding light of the Catholic faith, which to most believers is the one and only way of following the Father’s will.
Promoting the Catholic faith is, therefore, never easy. Rejection of the Father’s Will, after all, has ruled the day since the time of creation.
In his homily during the Mass (a celebration of the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception), Cardinal Tagle expounded on how Mary, the mother of Jesus, the Christ, chose to say “yes” to the Father in the middle of her confusion, anxiety and fear. Mary symbolized faith in and obedience to God. He contrasted this to the time the serpent deceived the figurative Adam and Eve, who said “no” and rejected God’s command.
Today, rejection of the Father’s will comes in various expressions and forms. But the point of belligerence remains one and the same: there are other gods aside from Him. These other gods are compelling enough for us to forget the one who truly reigns.
Cardinal Tagle talked about this in a 2008 speech, which Allen wrote about in 2013. Contrasting Christian worship with false forms of adoration, he said:
“It is sad that those who worship idols sacrifice other people while preserving themselves and their interests. How many factory workers are being denied the right wages for the god of profit? How many women are being sacrificed to the god of domination? How many children are being sacrificed to the god of lust? How many trees, rivers, hills are being sacrificed to the god of ‘progress’? How many poor people are being sacrificed to the god of greed? How many defenseless people are being sacrificed to the god of national security?”
His new appointment will take Cardinal Tagle to Rome, away from his hometown in the Philippines. But his mission can start, and may find more meaning, in the real conversion of faith among fellow Filipinos, some of whom may have cheered him on last Monday.